… random observations from my journeys through a well-lived life

Great advice at any age… from an old email

Posted on March 7, 2011

Image via Wikipedia

I’m told this was written by an 83-year-old women to her best friend. My friend and I have 23 years to go to that anniversary, but still, the sentiment works for me!

I’m reading more and dusting less. I’m sitting in the yard and admiring the view without fussing about the weeds in the garden. I’m spending more time with my family and friends and less time working. Whenever possible, life should be a pattern of experiences to savour, not to endure. I’m trying to recognize these moments now and cherish them.

I’m not “saving” anything; I use the good china and crystal for every special event such as losing a pound, getting the sink unplugged, or the first forsythia blossom. I wear my ‘good’ jackets to the market. My theory is that if I look good, the farmer won’t mind squeezing the tomatoes. I’m not saving my good perfume for special parties, but wearing it for clerks in the discount clothing store and the local librarian.

“Someday” and “one of these days” are losing their grip on my vocabulary. If it’s worth seeing or hearing or doing, I want to see and hear and do it now.

I’m not sure what others would’ve done had they known that they wouldn’t be here for the tomorrow that we all take for granted. I think they would have called family members and a few close friends. They might have called a few former friends to apologize and mend fences for past squabbles. I’d like to think they would have gone out for a fabulous Thai dinner, or for whatever their favorite food was. I’m guessing; I’ll never know.

It’s those little things left undone that would make me angry if I knew my hours were limited. Angry because I hadn’t written certain letters or emails that I intended to write one of these days. Angry and sorry that I didn’t tell my true loves and my parents often enough how much I truly loved them. I’m trying very hard not to put off, hold back, or save anything that would add laughter and lustre to our lives. And every morning when I open my eyes, I tell myself that it is special. Every day, every minute, every breath truly is a gift from God.

“People say true friends must always hold hands, but true friends don’t need to hold hands because they know the other hand will always be there.”